Priority area 1 | Livro Branco das Farmácias Portuguesas

Dimension I

PRIORITY AREA 1. PREVENTION AND SCREENING OF VIRAL HEPATITIS AND HIV

In the context of restructuring and expanding access to screening and early diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections, viral hepatitis and HIV, it is crucial to strengthen the role of pharmacies, thus making it possible to optimise opportunities for screening and appropriate referral according to the needs of the population. The participation of pharmacies plays an essential role in meeting national targets for reducing the incidence and mortality of these infections, as has been demonstrated since 2018. In addition, increasing access to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a priority in the strategy to combat HIV, thus making it essential to remove barriers to its dispensing by community pharmacies.¹

1. World Health Organization. Consolidated guidelines on HIV prevention, testing, treatment, service delivery and monitoring: recommendations for a public health approach, 2021 update. Geneva: 2021. https:// apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/342899 (accessed 7 Jul 2023).

PROPOSALS FOR ACTION

Dispensing of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in community pharmacies.

Integration of community pharmacies into the national strategy for the screening and early diagnosis of viral hepatitis and HIV through the provision of a rapid testing service under the same conditions as other health structures and formal referral routes through contractualisation with the NHS.

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Dimensão I